I struggle with this one too, Glamourcide.

The basic belief, the one that's in the little brown explaining book, is that on earth, our body dies.

That's it for that body, we're dead.

IF you are one of the chosen 144000 then you go to heaven and become an MP (well, that's how I understand it: Jesus is called "King" but is more like a prime minister). If you are not, you go for the long sleep of death.

Then comes the day of judgement. This lasts for 1000 years.

It's basically to see if you are willing to accept Jesus as your saviour. If you, in life, have believed and trusted in Jesus and followed his commands, you pass. If you haven't heard of him, but are willing to live as a Christian should live, you pass. If you refuse to follow Jesus then you die properly - no resurrection. That's the "hell fire" bit: your spirit is burnt up and unable to come back. You're well and truly dead. Not that you suffer eternally (well, you do as you don't get to see all your loved ones, but you're dead so you don't feel the suffering).

HTH.